When the world’s biggest sporting event comes to North America, it is more than an opportunity to watch great soccer. It is an opportunity to bring our own community together.

This summer, the Temple Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Central Texas Coyotes FC to host family-friendly FIFA World Cup watch parties at Chamber Member establishments throughout Temple. These gatherings are about far more than the final score. They are about creating places where neighbors become friends, families make memories, local businesses welcome new customers, and our community celebrates together.

For the Chamber, this partnership is also a meaningful full-circle moment. In 2019, we celebrated a ribbon cutting with Coyotes FC, recognizing a local club with a vision to grow the game, develop local talent, and unite the community through soccer.

Since its founding in 2018, Coyotes FC has worked to create opportunities for Central Texas players to compete, improve, and represent their hometown with pride. The club’s mission aligns naturally with the Chamber’s work to strengthen connections, support local investment, and build a more vibrant community.

Coyotes FC Ribbon Cutting, Holy Trinity Catholic High School, November 2019

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic moment as matches are being hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While millions will experience the excitement inside stadiums, communities like ours have the opportunity to create that same excitement right here at home.

By hosting watch parties at Chamber Member restaurants and venues, we are encouraging residents to support local businesses while enjoying one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events. Every meal ordered, every beverage purchased, and every visit to a participating establishment is an investment in the businesses that invest in Temple year-round.

This partnership also shines a spotlight on the growing excitement surrounding soccer in Central Texas. Coyotes FC is more than a team; it is a community-driven organization working to make soccer accessible, inspire the next generation, and provide a pathway for local players, coaches, and fans to be part of something bigger.

At the Chamber, we often talk about strengthening our local economy. While that certainly includes recruiting businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, and advocating for pro-business policies, it also means creating experiences that encourage people to gather locally.

Watch Party for 2026 FIFA World Cup at Mario's Seafood, June 2026

Vibrant communities are built through shared experiences, whether that is attending a ribbon cutting, shopping with a local business, volunteering for a community project, or cheering together during a World Cup match.

These watch parties reflect what makes Temple special: local businesses opening their doors, community partners working together, families spending time together, and residents choosing to invest in the place they call home.

We invite everyone to join us throughout the tournament. Wear your favorite team’s colors, bring your family and friends, support a local Chamber Member business, and experience the excitement of the World Cup together.

Watch party locations will be announced throughout the tournament on the Temple Chamber Facebook page and Coyotes FC Instagram page, so be sure to follow for the latest updates.

Because when we choose local, celebrate together, and invest in one another, everyone wins.